pulmonary pharmacology

Question 1

what causes airway inflammation

Answer 1

prolonged exposure to irritants (i.e. allergens) resulting in:
- narrowed airways, increased smooth muscle tone in bronchi
- constriction
- increased resistane

Question 2

what are some potential targets for pulmonary drugs

Answer 2

• airway inflammation
• bronchoconstriction
• irritation and cough
• infection

Question 3

name some tissues that the main divisions of the autonomic nervous system innervate

Answer 3

smooth muscle and heart

Question 4

what neurotransmitters are involved in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 4

acetylcholine and (nor)adrenaline

Question 5

name the different types/subtypes of adrenoreceptr system

Answer 5

alpha and beta

Question 6

in which cardio-respiratory structures are alpha and beta receptors found

Answer 6

bronchiole and heart (respectively)

Question 7

what do beta 2 adrenoreceptors do in the lungs

Answer 7

• (nor)adrenaline act as agonists
• relax smooth muscle in the lungs
• dilation via increased cAMP

Question 8

name the different types/subtypes of the cholinergic system involved in the lungs

Answer 8

muscarinic 1, 2, and 3

nicatinic involved in skeletal muscles

Question 8

what do alpha1 adrenoreceptors do in the lung

Answer 8

constrict the airways

Question 9

what do muscarinic receptors do in the lungs

Answer 9

M3:
- decrease cellular cAMP
- increased mucous secretion
- contraction of bronchial smooth muscle
- does oppostie of adrenalins

M1: increased muscous secretion

Question 9

how do you modify airway resistance

Answer 9

manipulation of bronchial tone (via drugs)

Question 10

what class of drugs acting on the ANS could be used to reduce airway resistance. name these drugs

Answer 10

beta 2 agonsists
- salbutamol or clenbutamol

AND/OR

M3 antagonists (blocks effect of acetylcholine)
- tiotropium or ipratropium

Question 11

how can you decrease inflammation in the airways

Answer 11

• antihistamines (H1 antagonists)
• glucocorticoids (reduce mucosal oedema, reduce release of inflammatory mediators, sensitive membranes to beta agonsists, prolong half life of adrenaline by slowing uptake)

many therapies are combos of B2 agonsists and glucocorticoids. glucocorticoids are non selective and cause many side effects so they are only used as last resort (i.e. asthma attacks)

Question 12

list a respiratory stimulant. whats it used for

Answer 12

doxapram hydrochloride
- stimulates peripheral chemoreceptors and CNS
- used in CPR, delivery

Question 13

list a mucolytic. what wre they used for

Answer 13

expectorants: oils and turpentine
- stimulates glandular cells
- breakdown mucous leading to decreased viscosity
- increases expulsion

Question 14

list an example of a cough suppressant and what theyre used for

Answer 14

antitussives (opioids/opiates)
- suppresses non-productive coughs (no expulsion)
- mechanical irritation
- inhibits medullary oblongata cough centre

used to treat non-productive irritant cough in dogs with kennel cough (red syrup)

Question 15

summarize classes of drugs that are
- bronchoilators
- antiinflammatories
- anti irritants
- antivirals

Answer 15

bronchodilators: b2 agonsits/ muscarinic antagonists
inflammation: antihistamines and glucocorticoids
irritation and cough: opioids and mucolytics
infection: antibiotics